A really super supernova lights up NASA

By TIMES WIRES
Published May 8, 2007

WASHINGTON - A massive exploding star - the brightest supernova astronomers have ever seen - has scientists wondering whether a similar celestial fireworks show may light up the sky much closer to Earth sometime soon. The discovery, announced Monday by NASA, drew oohs and aahs for months from the handful of astronomers who peered through telescopes to see the fuzzy remnants of the spectacular explosion after it was first spotted last fall by a graduate student in Texas. Using a variety of Earth and space telescopes, astronomers found a giant exploding star that they figure has shined about five times brighter than any of the hundreds of supernovae ever seen before, said discovery team leader Nathan Smith of the University of California at Berkeley.

Corzine back on job, on crutches

PRINCETON, N.J. - Gov. Jon Corzine resumed his duties Monday, nearly a month after a high-speed crash on the Garden State Parkway almost killed him. He can walk again, but only slowly and with special crutches. He plans to work from the governor's mansion at first rather than trying to return to the Statehouse. "The most important thing for me to express, again, is my gratitude for so many people who have made it possible for me to be sitting here, " Corzine said. He used the crutches to maneuver down five steps to a chair set up for his news conference. Corzine underwent three surgeries on his leg and was on a ventilator for more than a week after the accident April 12. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Wright synagogue gets historic nod

ELKINS PARK, PA. - The only synagogue designed by Frank Lloyd Wright has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Beth Sholom, a soaring glass-and-concrete temple just outside Philadelphia, began welcoming worshipers nearly 50 years ago. On Sunday, the National Park Service recognized it as one of the architect's greatest achievements. "It is a living monument to our nation's culture, " William Bolger, regional park program manager, told about 500 people in the sanctuary of the building conceived as a modern Mount Sinai.

Des Moines, Iowa: Democratic candidate John Edwards said it's silly to suggest that his wealth has hurt his credibility as an advocate for the poor. "Would it have been better if I had done well and didn't care?"